Onboarding plan
Sheet Metal Worker Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new sheet metal worker from first day to full productivity.
Sheet Metal Worker onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: Apprenticeship completion, OSHA 10 or 30-Hour Construction (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: brakes, shears and rollers; plasma cutters and CNC fabrication tables; hand seamers, snips and crimpers; rivet guns and screw guns
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Sheet Metal Worker training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Wear cut-resistant gloves and handle metal edges carefully
- Use hearing and eye protection around machinery
- Follow ladder, lift and fall protection rules
- Lock out machines before clearing jams or changing tooling
- Shadow an experienced sheet metal worker through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: install a rectangular duct run
- Supervised practice: bend sheet metal on a brake
- Supervised practice: seal ductwork with mastic
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Read blueprints and shop drawings: independently
- Lay out and cut sheet metal patterns: independently
- Bend and form metal with brakes and rollers: independently
- Join seams with lock seams, rivets, screws and welds: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, Apprenticeship completion)
- Discuss the career path: Apprentice Sheet Metal Worker → Journeyworker → TAB Technician, Detailer or Welder
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install a Rectangular Duct Run | |||
| Bend Sheet Metal on a Brake | |||
| Seal Ductwork with Mastic | |||
| Pattern layout | |||
| Blueprint and shop drawing reading | |||
| Metal forming with brakes and rollers | |||
| Seaming, riveting and welding |
How to measure onboarding success
- Weeks until the new hire works without close supervision
- Recordable incidents and near-misses in the first 90 days
- Rework caused by new-hire errors
- Apprentice retention through year one
How Sheet Metal Worker training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Sheet Metal Worker Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Sheet Metal Worker Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Sheet Metal Worker Career
- Final Knowledge Check